EDMONTON, ALBERTA -- (Marketwire) -- 02/07/13 -- Petals, passion and pyramids: you can find it all in a romantic getaway to Edmonton. Whether it's a stunning trail of rose petals, breathtaking views of the city's incredible River Valley or an escape to the iconic pyramids of the Muttart Conservatory, Edmonton takes the beauty of a Canadian winter and transforms it into a blissful vacation destination.

Picture a romantic dinner at one of the city's French restaurants, a hotel stay where you share decadent chocolates and champagne, or taking a tour of the picturesque River Valley - an urban parkland that is 22 times larger than New York's Central Park - by snowshoe or Segway; there is something for everyone.

Destination Romance

Start your getaway with one of a multitude of romance packages offered by Edmonton's best hotels. From luxurious options with long-stemmed roses to breakfast in bed or spa sensations, there's a reason these romantic choices are popular.

Go for diamonds - the AAA Four Diamond Award variety - on your stay and check in to the Chateau on the River, otherwise known as the Fairmont Hotel Macdonald where you'll bask in luxury and its impressive setting overlooking the River Valley.

Or add a twist to your escape package. Consider a theme room at the Fantasyland hotel in West Edmonton Mall - North America's largest shopping and entertainment destination. You can sleep like royalty or escape to the Polynesian islands among other tantalizing options. Just don't forget to add the Petals and Passion package, which includes a romantic trail of rose petals, a bottle of sparkling wine and a sensual gift basket for your stay.

Fall in Love with Edmonton

Romance is in the air when you take advantage of all that Edmonton has to offer. Bustling, historic Old Strathcona, known for its nightlife, restaurants and shopping is a must see while the 124th Street area also brings together dining and shopping options in its own uniquely Edmonton style - a definite highlight is the Gallery Walk, the first of its kind in Canada, and the place to see distinctive Canadian works of art.

West Edmonton Mall, meanwhile, is where you'll catch the award-winning exhibit, Diana, A Celebration; a look at the life and work of the Princess of Wales. Among the items on display are Princess Diana's magnificent royal wedding gown with its 25-foot long train, 28 of her designer dresses, family heirlooms, personal mementos and rare home movies. It is on from February 9 to June 9.

Last, but hardly least, be sure to check out Edmonton's well-deserved reputation as Canada's Festival City. As a year-round festival destination, the Canadian Birkebeiner Ski Festival (February 8-9), the Silver Skate Festival (February 15-18), the Global Visions Film Festival (February 27-March 3) and the Expanse Movement Arts Festival (March 6-10) are just some of the upcoming highlights.

Dinner for Two

Edmonton also offers a vast array of romantic dining options. From fabulous French food to world famous Alberta beef, the city is full of restaurants where you can create delicious memories.

Just a few to consider include:

-- La Ronde, the revolving 24th floor restaurant at the Crowne Plaza
Chateau Lacombe. Overlooking the River Valley and downtown Edmonton, La
Ronde is one of the city's premiere fine dining restaurants.
-- If French food adds that romantic je ne sais quoi, consider The Creperie
in the downtown core and known to many Edmontonians as one of the most
romantic restaurants in the city. Or try La Boheme in the Highlands
district.
-- The Melting Pot, a fondue restaurant, offers a variety of floral
packages for its guests. From the simplicity of a single rose to their
ultimate romance package, diners can transform dinner into a night to
remember.

More Enchanting Options

Romantic opportunities abound once you're out and about in Edmonton. Explore the outdoor beauty of the Legislature Grounds. Edmonton, Alberta's capital city, is home to the historic grandeur of the provincial legislative assembly. Complementing this are 23 hectares of parkland and natural beauty, with an added winter attraction of an ice rink. Free tours of the grounds and the building are available.

Art and entertainment lovers will want to check out the downtown arts district, where you will find the Art Gallery of Alberta, the Winspear Centre (home to the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra where you and your valentine can Put on the Ritz at a dazzling concert of Irving Berlin tunes on February 8 or 9) or head over to the Citadel Theatre for a date and see Noel Coward's Private Lives (February 2-24) or the sensational improvised production of Blind Date (February 13-24).

For movie lovers Edmonton has your silver screen ticket to romance, an evening at the Cineplex Odeon Windermere VIP theatres where you'll be pampered with luxurious reserved seats, a private licensed lounge and in-seat food and beverage service until the start of the feature presentation.

In Edmonton, it's all about the charm of the city and the chance to make your romantic dreams come true.

Edmonton Economic Development Corporation (EEDC) provides leadership in economic development, markets Edmonton as a must-see destination, manages the Shaw Conference Centre and Edmonton Research Park, and acts as a stakeholder in TEC Edmonton, a joint venture with the University of Alberta. For more information, visit www.edmonton.com Learn more about Edmonton through the stories of people who've experienced it at www.edmontonstories.ca

The majority of an organization’s revenues are dependent on suppliers, distributors and other third parties. But as Benjamin M. Lawsky, New York State’s Superintendent of Financial Services, points out: “Unfortunately, those third-party firms can provide a back-door entrance to hackers...

Conservation International (CI) in Arlington, Virginia uses new technology to pursue more data about what's going on in tropical forests and other ecosystems around the world.
As a non-profit, they have a goal of a sustainable planet, but we're going to learn how they've learned to m...

Do the ‘darker’ channels and means that exist for searching the web in anonymity ultimately spell doom for the wider march towards open data?
So-called ‘open data’ is supposed to be an instrument for breaking down information gaps across industries and letting companies share benchmar...

Technology changes at the speed of light. To say it can be hard to keep up is an understatement. For performance engineers, taking charge of your own continuing education is one of the most important things you can do to remain at the top of your game.

Knowledge management, in business terms, refers to saving, developing, sharing, and effectively using knowledge for the benefit of organization. It refers to a multi-disciplined approach of achieving organizational objectives by making the best use of knowledge.
Scientia potentia est ...